Clinical trials

This study will assess the impact of a school meal program on the nutritional status and academic performance of primary school children in Lahore, Pakistan. Children aged 6-11 years from selected government primary schools will participate in the study. Children in the intervention group will receive a balanced school meal during school hours for 12 weeks, providing approximately one-third of their daily energy requirement, while children in the control group will continue their usual dietary practices. The study will compare changes in children's nutritional status, including weight, height, body mass index, mid-upper arm circumference, and body composition, as well as school attendance and examination performance. The study will also examine whether nutritional status is related to academic performance.

Overweight and obesity affect nearly 2.5 billion adults worldwide and increase cardiometabolic risk. Postprandial glucose excursions are influenced by diet and inactivity and predict metabolic disorders, while South Asians, particularly Pakistanis, are more vulnerable due to genetic and lifestyle factors and processed diets. This study evaluates the impact of chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) ingestion on postprandial glycemia and appetite in overweight adults, supporting UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). A randomized controlled crossover trial will be conducted among 30 overweight adults (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m²), aged 18-40 years. Participants will undergo control and intervention phases separated by a 14-day washout. The control beverage will contain 50 g glucose in 250 mL water, while the intervention beverage will contain the same beverage supplemented with 30 g chia seeds. Glucose response will be assessed using incremental area under the curve (iAUC) by the trapezoidal method, with appetite response also evaluated. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 25; baseline characteristics will be presented as mean ± SD, and between-group differences will be assessed using a linear mixed model at p \< 0.05. Chia seed ingestion is expected to reduce postprandial blood glucose and improve appetite control.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of iron-rich snacks in combating anemia among adolescent girls. The study will involve 100 girls aged 16-18 years with mild anemia (Hb 11-11.9 g/dL), randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group will consume two 25-g iron-rich bars daily for 12 weeks, while the control group will continue their regular diet. Hemoglobin and anemia status will be assessed to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Data will be analyzed using SPSS, with p ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant.

The goal of this interventional study (clinical trial) is to check if ajwa seed powder can treat type 2 diabetes mellitus in overweight and and obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus including both male and female of the age group between 30-50. The main question is what would be the impact of ajwa seed powder on HbA1c and body composition in overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus which aim to result in better glycemic control particular Hba1c, and body composition improvement in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients Participants will be asked to consume 4 grams of ajwa seed powder per day

The objective of this research is to assess the impact of personalized nutritional intervention on postoperative complications and length of stay in Whipple's patients via assessing the parameters related to body composition, nutritional status, weight maintenance, biochemical profile (LFTs, RFTs, CBC, CRP, serum electrolytes, coagulation profile and HbA1c) and muscle preservation postoperatively. Moreover, enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) guidelines in Whipple's patients will also be monitored. Exactly 20 patients undergoing Whipple's Procedure/PPPD in 1 year will be recruited for the study. Medical nutrition therapy will include energy intake of 25- 30 Kcal/kg body weight and protein 1.2-1.5g/kg body weight. Enteral nutrition and parenteral nutrition will be given accordingly. After discharge, patients receiving chemotherapy and patients not receiving chemotherapy will be nutritionally intervened accordingly. Follow-ups will be done in the 2nd week, 3rd month and 6th month after surgery. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 27. To assess the significant difference among study groups t-test, repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression model will be applied. The level of significance will be kept at 5%. t-test for treatment groups.

Twin study in Lahore will assess genetic vs. environmental effects on diet and metabolism. Over 12 weeks, monozygotic and dizygotic twins will follow a WHO-aligned balanced diet. Body composition, metabolic markers, and adherence will be measured. Monozygotic twins are expected to show greater similarity in response, clarifying personalized nutrition strategies in Pakistan.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic disorders characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and abdominal obesity. Globally, it is a major public health concern. International studies have linked higher Dietary Antioxidant Index with reduced risk of MetS, as antioxidants play a role in lowering the risk of MetS by reducing oxidative stress, a key contributor to its pathophysiology. Exploring this link in Pakistan can provide valuable insights for dietary strategies to reduce the risk of MetS.

* A total of 60 overweight women (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m²), aged 18-50years, will be enrolled and randomized equally into intervention and control groups. The intervention group will consume a 5 g freshly prepared seabuckthorn aqueous infusion daily for 12 weeks, while controls maintain usual habits without supplementation. * The seabuckthorn aqueous infusion will be prepared by using 250mL of potable boiled water and then cooled to a lukewarm temperature (around 40-45°C). At this point, 5 g of seabuckthorn powder will be added, stirred thoroughly until fully dispersed, and consumed immediately. The infusion will be freshly prepared once daily and administered in the morning after breakfast. Measurements will be conducted using the InBody 270, a validated bioelectrical impedance analyzer employed in this study to obtain accurate assessments of body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio, and visceral fat levels. The device offers segmental analysis and visceral fat estimation through non-invasive, standardized procedures, ensuring consistency and reliability in longitudinal tracking.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of oral vitamin D3 supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers and disease activity in Pakistani patients with moderate ulcerative colitis. Sixty patients will be randomized to receive either standard treatment alone/Placebo or standard treatment plus vitamin D3 (50,000 IU fortnightly) for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes include changes in blood (CRP, ESR, IL-6) and fecal (calprotectin) inflammatory biomarkers, and disease activity assessed by the partial Mayo score. Secondary outcomes include vitamin D status, dietary intake, and quality of life. The study will provide insights into the immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory role of vitamin D3 as an adjunct therapy in ulcerative colitis.

Obesity rates have more than doubled globally since 1990, with 2.5 billion overweight adults by 2022, and 890 million of them living with obesity (WHO, 2023). In Pakistan, approximately 30% of adults are overweight or obese, with 21% overweight and 9% obese. Non-communicable diseases now account for 58% of deaths in the country. WHO recommends daily consumption of non-starchy vegetables to aid weight loss and reduce BMI and fat mass, especially for overweight and obese individuals. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) in Lahore, Pakistan, targeting the university population, including students, teaching, and non-teaching staff with BMI ≥23 kg/m². A total of 40 participants will be recruited, with 20 assigned to the intervention group (receiving 2-3 cups of non-starchy vegetables daily) and 20 to the control group (receiving only dietary guidelines). Weight, BMI, and fat mass will be measured before and after the trial using an InBody 270. The data will be analyzed using SPSS version 25, with paired and independent t-tests to compare changes within and between groups. Multiple logistic regression will examine the relationship between vegetable consumption and changes in weight, BMI, and fat mass. This study aims to assess the impact of daily non-starchy vegetable intake on the weight, BMI, and fat mass of the overweight and obese university population.